Fig. 2.

Glycated albumin stimulated the USF2 gene promoter activity and the region between −837 to −430 was involved. Quiescent rat mesangial cells were transiently transfected with mouse USF2 promoter luciferase construct [USF2 (−2,400)] and a series deletion of USF2 promoter constructs. Then, cells were treated with glycated or control albumin (200 μg/ml) for 24 h. After 24 h, cells were harvested and lysed. The luciferase activity was measured and normalized to Renilla luciferase levels. Data are means ± SE of triplicates of 3 separate experiments. *P < 0.05 vs. control albumin.